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Women Veterans Program Manager Update
Season’s Greetings!
It's been a busy fall for us. In October, we promoted breast cancer awareness. In January we promote cervical cancer awareness and in February we promote heart health awareness. Did you know that each month Women’s Health hosts a monthly health fair with information, goodies, and staff to answer your questions in the hospital lobby? Check out our list of events and stop by and see us!
Another way to stay connected is accepting a call for upcoming Women Veteran Teletown Halls. Our next one is January 25, 2023, at 5 pm. You will receive a call the night before inviting you to join us. All you have to do on the day of the event, is answer your phone and stay on the line to be connected. During these Teletown Halls, we provide updates related to Madison VA and you have the opportunity to ask questions to Madison VA leadership. We host others throughout the year that are open to all Veterans, but two a year are specifically tailored to women Veterans.
We hope you have a wonderful holiday season and check out the Heart Healthy soup recipe. It is a great option to eat healthy and stay warm!
Best regards,
Tami Towne
Women Veteran Program Manager
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Army Vet Latoya Samson Views VA Health Care from Two Sides
 If you’re a Veteran not using VA services and resources, Latoya Samson wants to have a word with you.
The Army Veteran is the new associate group practice manager at the Madison VA and has seen drastic improvements to women’s health resources and services since leaving the military, especially compared to Tricare coverage.
Samson joined the military mostly out of necessity and chance after a leg injury abruptly ended her collegiate soccer career. No soccer meant no scholarship. No scholarship meant no college.
While working at Old Country Buffet, she served a few Army recruiters who inquired about why she was working there. “I’m trying to pay for college,” she told them. “They said, ‘we can pay,’ and I said, ‘well then sign me up!’”
She didn’t know much about the military and her mother was the same, who asked “women can join the military?”
She qualified in nutrition care and worked in Army community hospitals during her eight years of service at Fort Polk, Louisiana; Fort Lewis, Washington; and one year in Iraq.
She left the Army in December 2009 and was a housewife until 2018. After completing her bachelor’s degree in business, with a concentration in hospital management, she started working at Madison VA. Samson has been steadily climbing the VA ladder ever since. She currently manages surgeon’s schedules, pulls data when needed and ensures they are updated with credentialing and training. “They save lives; we do the administration,” she explained.
Serving in a variety of positions has given the Massachusetts native an inside look at the facilities and staff that also provide her health care.
“When I was in Washington, the services and resources available for women were limited. There was your primary care and pharmacy. There were no options for Paps or mammograms. When I came here, we have our own clinic, and if they can’t provide the service, then they send me to community care, but even that is quick. I feel like I have my own care, now. I’m the same as the guys.”
The health care field wasn’t immune to the recent hiring shortages that plagued the country, and Madison was no different. Hiring providers has proven difficult, but the women’s health clinic recently added a second OBGYN who happens to also be female.
She doesn’t have to sing the praises of her employer, but she will, especially to those leaving active duty. “Thankfully, when I was out-processing from the Army, they suggested I look into VA. I did it right away and it was seamless. There was no lapse in my care.
Her one concern for Veterans is that they don’t take advantage of the benefits they earned. “I feel like a lot of females don’t even try to become eligible for VA benefits. I feel like the care is equal to that of males, so they should at least look into it. I wish more young Vets, male or female, took the time to become eligible. It only involves showing one form.”
For Samson, if anyone understands the impact of serving your country, it’s VA. “You’re automatically family – you just have to get through the door to realize how good it is. Be selfish and get the health care you need. Don’t minimize you’re care.”
By taking care of herself, Samson exceeds in her career and at home where she was recently remarried and has a 10-year-old daughter.
“I love VA. I love working here and I love getting my care here. It’s cool to see it on both sides.”
(If you have questions about eligibility, call 608-256-1901 ext. 17038)
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Madison Spreads Breast Cancer Awareness
 October was Breast Cancer Awareness Month and promotional efforts to raise awareness took place throughout the month, including a pink pumpkin scavenger hunt, ‘Wear Pink on Wednesdays,’ a health fair, our ‘Go Pink’ photo and an interactive banner.
Pink pumpkins with breast cancer and mammogram facts were scattered throughout the hospital and CBOCs. Participants submitted selfies with them to enter a drawing. We had great participation, and it was exciting to see sparks of competition for a good cause.
The Project Search team assisted staff in adding pink to their closet for ‘Wear Pink on Wednesdays’ with a group tie dye party. The shirts turned out great and it was an opportunity for participants to share personal experiences with breast cancer and how it has impacted their family and loved ones.
The “No One Fights Alone’ banner honored friends and family members who have had breast cancer by tracing their own handprint or by placing a pre-cut-out hand on the banner. It was a visual representation of how far ‘One in Eight’ reaches and a collective demonstration of support and hope that ‘No one fights alone.’
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Intuitive Eating
During the winter holidays, there is certainly a focus on food. While this can bring joy and connection, it can come with unwelcome thoughts or comments about food and weight.
Intuitive eating is an “anti-diet” approach that focuses on your health and wellbeing. It involves two keys concepts: listening to your body to understand what it needs in the moment and responding to what your body is telling you. Some principles include:
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Discover the satisfaction factor: you have the right to pleasurable and satisfying meals free of guilt.
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Honor your hunger: listen to your body. It lets you know when it’s time to eat.
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Respect your fullness: your body tells you when its comfortably full and satisfied.
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Challenge the food police: there’s no such thing as good or bad foods. No one food or meal will make or break your health.
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Honor your feelings with kindness: consider exploring different ways to cope with difficult emotions besides food.
Learning to eat intuitively is just like learning a new hobby or skill; it takes time and practice. Some days are easier and some days are challenging — this is normal. Being kind and gentle with yourself as you engage in intuitive eating can help you handle setbacks and disappointment.
To learn more about Intuitive Eating, ask your primary care provider for a referral to a VA dietitian or call 608-256-1901 ext. 17387.
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Holidays creeping up on you?
How to combat the holiday overload
by Ann Buchwald, Peer Specialist
Many of us, at one point in time, worked for the Department of Defense, so we are used to the fiscal year calendar and the holidays that go with that first part of the year. It seems quite comical talking about the fiscal calendar as we have flown past Halloween already and are nearing the ‘holiday season.’
I struggle with wanting to be the perfect hostess: have the best food, the perfectly kept house, the... oh my, I’m already driving myself to worry and I’m only hosting my immediate family.
So, what do I do with all this worry?
I take a step back, evaluate what is stressing me out and find a plausible way to deal with it.
Plausible? Well, everyone deals with holiday stressors differently, either by dividing out tasks or prioritizing them. Some take it in stride until the actual day and then panic that everything won’t be perfect. I fall into that last category; I have everything prepped and ready to go and then worry about the ‘what ifs,’ as I complete my tasks before people arrive.
Most of the scenarios that fall into my ‘what if’ list are completely impossible. I calm my mind by meditation as I make sure to find my own flow in my chaos. There are many ways people can meditate, though people usually think of the traditional sitting cross-legged on the floor, hands on their knees, eyes closed, clearing their mind, and just existing for awhile. People can meditate while sitting at their desk, working around the house, walking the dog and many other ways.
Meditation for me is remembering all the things I am grateful for in this busy season: family, friends, co-workers, my experiences. It helps to calm my mind as I work towards being the “perfect” hostess, reminding myself that I may never have the perfect event in my mind. However, to those who attended, it was a perfect celebration of family, friends and those we love.
So, as the holiday season encroaches on us, remember to take a step back and pause, take a breath to reflect, and enjoy the people you share your experiences with. They are what make the season.
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Heart Healthy Holidays
Healthy eating starts with healthy food choices. You don’t need to be a chef to create nutritious, heart-healthy meals your family will love.
Fruits and vegetables provide many beneficial nutrients. Add them to meals and snacks for a nutritional power boost. They are low in calories and fill you up thanks to the fiber and water they contain.
A healthy eating plan full of fruits and vegetables can help lower your risk of serious and chronic health conditions, including heart disease, obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes and some types of cancer. They’re also essential to your everyday health.
Are you red-y? Friday, February 2, 2024, is National Wear Red Day, a chance to show your support for women in the fight against cardiovascular disease, the #1 cause of death for women. Join us at the main hospital, wearing red and bringing awareness to this important cause. Check out our heart healthy recipe for Carrot and Coriander Soup to warm you up during these cold months!
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New Year... New You…
Take the time for Cervical Cancer Screening
January is Cervical Health Awareness Month to raise awareness about how women can protect themselves from HPV (human papillomavirus) and cervical cancer. HPV is a very common infection that spreads through sexual activity and causes almost all cases of cervical cancer.
The good news? Routine cervical cancer screening (Pap test) finds changes in the cells of the cervix before they lead to cancer. Women between the ages 21-29 should have a Pap test every three years. Women ages 30-65 should have a Pap test and HPV co-testing every five years. Women 65+, or those who had their cervix removed during a surgical procedure, should discuss with their provider to determine whether continued cervical cancer screening is necessary.
The HPV vaccine can also protect people against HPV type 16 and 18 (the viruses that cause most HPV cancers). This vaccine may be recommended for people even if they already have the HPV virus.
If you have questions about cervical health, or other women’s health questions, please contact your VA primary care provider. If you do not have a VA primary care provider and are interested in getting established with one, please contact our eligibility department at 608-256-1901 ext. 17038.
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